Keep writing. For me, writing is nourishment. When I make the time to write, I’m amazed at what comes out of me! It’s almost like I’m reading it as I write it, I never know quite what’s going to come out. I’m working on my second novel right now, it’s going to take me a …
Where to print your book
Kia ora memoir writer! How’s your story coming along today? Today I want to answer a question I often get asked - ‘where can I print my book?’ The answer is: it depends. If you’re keeping things simple and you’re not fussy about how it looks, pop along to your local print shop and ask …
An easy tool you can use to start recording your story now
Kia ora! This is Charlotte, reaching out from Golden Bay after a weekend of talking memoirs at libraries on the West Coast of the South Island. Welcome to my (mostly) weekly coaching session Coasters! Today I have an offering for both those who don’t feel comfortable writing and those who want to record ideas as …
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When should you start writing your story?
I popped into a cafe recently for my favourite salmon and cream cheese tart and the lady at the counter said she’d just been thinking of me. “I’ve been wanting to ask you to help me with my great aunty’s story for ages,” she said as she served me. “But I can’t now, because we’ve …
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Introducing The Great Senior Kiwi Write Up!
Could this be the year you write your life story, memoir or family history? You can do it! And I have something for you, totally free, to help you get started. https://youtu.be/yOicMXgmB6E I’m Charlotte Squire, I live in Golden Bay, Aotearoa, New Zealand, and I’ve been a writer for over 20 years. During that time …
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This woman’s psychic
Starting any new project can be scary and launching my online Write Your Memoir course definitely was! After years of helping people write their stories, I knew I had some knowledge to share, and I’d been learning how to set up and tell people about online courses, but still, it’s been a leap of faith …
Writing your memoir? Why your unique voice matters.
Charlotte Squire Some people worry that they’re not writing things the ‘right way.’ https://youtube.com/shorts/RaVhjzv2wyc?feature=share I’ve found that people who didn’t enjoy writing at school and people who learned English later in life will sometimes second guess their ability to write their stories. But honestly, some of the best stories I’ve read or worked on didn’t …
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When you’re not sure you’re skilled enough to write your memoir
Charlotte Squire Some people worry they’re not skilled enough to write their memoirs. It’s hardly surprising, considering how many times we’re told we’re spelling things wrong, or using that apostrophe in the wrong place. But here’s the thing: that stuff doesn’t really matter. Sure it’s good to have the spelling and grammar all sorted when …
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Fun little vid series about whole town asking man if he’s written memoir yet
I had fun making it this little vid (see below) about a person asking this man if he’d started writing his memoir yet. And there are more to come! Kia Ora, Charlotte Squire here. I live in a small rural community of 5000 people, where word of mouth travels fast. So I couldn’t resist making …
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Why you should keep a notebook close-by when you’re writing your memoir
Kia ora! Once you dive into writing your memoir it’ll be almost as if you’ve gone back in time, to the days you’re thinking of. The more you focus on those times, the more details you’ll remember from those days - people, experiences and feelings will resurface. That’s why I recommend you start a system …
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Tip #2 Clarify who your life story is for
Being clear about who you’re writing your life story for before you start writing will make it easier for you. Who are you writing your story for? Yourself? Your family? The public? Who ever it’s for, knowing this from the start will also set the tone and determine what you include. Will you unleash all …
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Stuck at home? How to finally write your life story
Writing your memoirs or life story is one of those really important things many people mean to do, but never get around to. Or, in my father’s case, he couldn’t see the point in sharing the details of his very ‘normal’ life. My father was a child of WW2 who went onto become a soldier …
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Why your story matters
My father once escaped, naked, from a prison camp with another guy. Actually, he was taken prisoner and escaped twice, with others. He was a soldier in the British army. And that’s all I know. I don’t know where he escaped from or what year it was. I don’t know who he escaped from, or who …
Memoirs and biographies can include your family
I write people's memoirs or biographies and lately I've come to realise our lives are so intertwined with others that it's hard to follow one person's story, without threading into the stories of those around us. Isn't that a beautiful thing? We're inately social beings. I've noticed that once the subject of the memoir has …
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Write your memoir, life story or history 